HH, Sir Godfrey Gregg D.Div
Have you ever been through a storm of life and asked yourself the question, “When is this going to end?” ‘How am I going to get through this? Or “Why am I even here?’
The storms of life we go through can feel so burdensome, out of control and chaotic.
There is a scene in the Bible that sticks out in my mind that describes the storms we go through. That is the scene where the disciples are rocking in the boat with waves crashing and the wind blowing as recorded by Matthew. The disciples were scared and looking for a way out of the storm. Then they saw what they thought was a ghost, but it was actually Jesus.
Have you ever wondered why Jesus was walking towards His disciples on the water during the storm instead of just waiting for them on the other side of the lake (Matthew 14:25)?
Before Jesus came to the disciples in the storm, He was asking them to cross the lake in the boat, to literally be on top of the chaos. The Hebrew word for water is Mayim which literally means chaos. The disciples were fearful and wondering how everything was going to play out.
Like the disciples, we may not like being in the chaos, but can be encouraged that Jesus is always with us in the storms (Matthew 14:24-32).
“And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.” Matthew 14:25
When the disciples were in the boat being tossed by the waves and wind, Jesus was right there with them. He was praying the disciples’ (Romans 8:34) faith would not waver. Jesus didn’t send the disciples into the storm by themselves, He was experiencing the storm with them (Mark 6:48). God will never push us into a storm and say, ‘see you later, good luck.’ He is always with us.
“He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus.” Matthew 14:29
The disciples became fearful when their focus was on their circumstances—the big waves, the boat rocking, and the harsh winds. Right before Jesus tells Peter to get out of the boat and come to Him, Jesus tells the disciples to “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid,” (Matthew 14:27).
We too can get focused on our circumstances, elevating our fears which limits our ability to see Jesus in the storms. Jesus was trying to teach the disciples that both fear and faith cannot reside at the same time in our hearts and will always blind us to His presence.
The very thing the disciples feared (the sea) is the very thing Jesus used to bring them through. He was showing them that even in the chaos of the storm, Jesus is always in control, we just need to trust in Him.
“And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.” Matthew 14:32
God knows we would never willingly go towards the storm ourselves. He knows what’s best for us and cares for our every need. To pick and choose the parts of life we do and don’t want, is to forfeit God’s greatest blessings. Jesus did not allow Peter or the disciples to sink or drown but showed them what God can do when we have faith.
Imagine what Peter was thinking after he got back into the boat. “I just walked on water with Jesus!” Just think what Peter would have forfeited if he allowed his fears to dictate his response and stayed in the boat. He would have never witnessed first hand what God is able to do when we trust in Him.
When we are going through a storm we can trust….
In our chaos, Jesus is in total control and is always with us.
God has divine authority over all things.
When we are in God’s will, we will always be kept safe in the storms.
We can trust God to take care of us in our storms.
Jesus is the key to eternal peace.
God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage.
We can always trust in His plans.
God will prevail.
With Jesus walking towards the disciples in the storm is a physical representation of what he does for us in our everyday lives. He is right there with us we just have to look up and reach out.
In our storms, we pray to God and hears our cries. God desires every single crevice of our hearts—even the broken parts. Even when circumstances look bleak, keep praying through the storms, He will protect us and get us safely through.
Are you going through a storm of life right now?
Do you trust in what God is able to do, to step out of the boat like Peter, reach out your hand and say, “Lord, save me?” (Matthew 14:30)
Prayer- Dear Lord, we know you are the God of peace and maker of all things. Sometimes life can get so hard and burdensome. We pray that we will seek you in our storms and trust in your plans, your ways, and your power. We pray we will hold onto your promises when our surrounding circumstances look defeating. We pray our faith will not waiver and we will be anchored in the storms. Thank you, Lord, for praying for us and being our God who loves us. We praise you in our storms. In Jesus name. Amen
